2007 J. Lohr Cuvée PAU

The inspiration for this blend comes from the Grand Cru wines of the Pauillac district of Bordeaux, composed primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot accents. We winemakers are given the freedom to emulate these great wines without the restrictions of varietal percentages, instead keenly focusing on the texture and complexity of the blend that Nature delivers with each vintage.

VINTAGE
2007 was a very dry year in Paso Robles, with the seasonal total for rainfall registering a scant 4.4 inches. Fortunately, temperatures were mild and did not exacerbate the extremely dry conditions. Vine canopies were small, as were cluster and berry size, resulting in some of the lowest yields we have seen in the last ten years. These natural limitations imposed on the vines resulted in remarkably good Cabernet Sauvignon fruit quality, with outstanding color and flavors. For the second consecutive year, we incurred no significant heat events after veraison, and had very mild weather conditions straight through harvest, allowing each block to be picked at optimal flavor development.

TECHNICAL DATA

Origin:

Paso Robles AVA,
San Luis Obispo County

Composition:

93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6%
Petit Verdot, 1% other Bordeaux reds

Harvest Dates:

October 23, 2007

Harvest process:

Hand-harvested into half-ton
bins

Harvest Chemistries:

Brix 28.9°, pH 3.41,
total acidity 0.67g/100ml

Vinification:

Yeast: Lallemand D-254

Fermentation: Destemmed fruit was berrysorted on Mistral system before being crushed and transferred to a 10 ton open-top fermenter

Temperature: Peak at 90°F

Maceration: 11 days skin contact

Malolactic: 100% in barrel using Viniflora
Oenos

Maturation: 21 months in barrel

Barrel Type: Thin-stave Chateau Ferrier
French oak, 50% new

Forests: Center of France

Coopers: Saury and Bel Air

Bottle Aging: 1 year plus, prior to release

Bottling Numbers:

pH: 3.65Total Acidity: 0.67g/100ml

Alcohol: 14.95% by volume

Res. Sugar: dry

Cellaring: Delicious now, but has the structure to
age for 10 to 15 years

Cases Produced: 703

WINEMAKER'S COMMENTS
A dark magenta color with a royal hue. Layers of dense fruit aromas ranging from fresh fig to olallieberry are complemented by a subtle oak bouquet. The palate is a perfectly juicy core of blackberry fruit, balanced by soft tannin in a balance rarely achieved. Exceptional palate length finishes alive with a dark fruit signature.